US6447545B1 — Self-aligning bone implant

Claim 1

Independent Claim 50 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: a tubular body having an axially extending outer surface including a smooth leading insertion portion configured to self-align the tubular body and a bone-engaging trailing portion, the outer surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward and adjacent each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 50 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: a tubular body having an axially extending outer surface including a smooth leading insertion portion configured to self-align the tubular body and a bone-engaging trailing portion, the outer surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward and adjacent each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 14 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 1 wherein the tubular body comprises a hollow cylinder.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 16 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 2 wherein the trailing portion comprises at least one thread segment.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 14 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 3 wherein the thread segment comprises a self-tapping thread.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 2 wherein the tubular body defines a substantially constant diameter inner bore extending from an open leading end to an open trailing end.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 5 wherein a plurality of fenestrations are provided through the tubular body extending from an outer surface adjacent living bone to an inner surface adjacent living bone to facilitate living bone growing between the inner surface and the outer surface.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 6 wherein a tapered portion is provided along a leading end of the leading insertion portion.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 79 words

An intervertebral wedge, comprising: a perforated fusion body having an outer surface including an insertion portion with an axially extending uniform cross-sectional dimension adjacent a leading end and a bone fixating trailing portion adjacent a trailing end, the insertion portion configured to self-align the fusion body between a pair of adjacent vertebra and including an open leading end defining a bore therein sized sufficiently to receive a pair of adjacent bone projections from the vertebrae to facilitate arthrodesis therebetween.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 79 words

An intervertebral wedge, comprising: a perforated fusion body having an outer surface including an insertion portion with an axially extending uniform cross-sectional dimension adjacent a leading end and a bone fixating trailing portion adjacent a trailing end, the insertion portion configured to self-align the fusion body between a pair of adjacent vertebra and including an open leading end defining a bore therein sized sufficiently to receive a pair of adjacent bone projections from the vertebrae to facilitate arthrodesis therebetween.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 28 words

The intervertebral wedge of claim 8 wherein the fusion body comprises a tubular cylinder including a plurality of fenestrations extending from the outer surface to an inner surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 37 words

The intervertebral wedge of claim 8 wherein the insertion portion comprises a smooth insertion portion including a substantially smooth, cylindrical leading end portion having a plurality of fenestrations extending from the outer surface to an inner surface.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The intervertebral wedge of claim 8 wherein the bone fixating trailing portion comprises a cylindrical threaded end portion.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 16 words

The intervertebral wedge of claim 8 wherein the bone fixating trailing portion comprises a self-tapping thread.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 45 words

The intervertebral wedge of claim 8 further comprising a tapered portion provided about a leading end of the insertion portion and configured to impart distraction between a pair of vertebrae upon insertion of the fusion device between a pair of bone bodies of adjacent vertebrae.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 100 words

A vertebral fusion implant, comprising, an elongate, axially extending fusion body including an outer surface having an insertion portion and a threaded trailing portion, the outer surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies, the insertion portion having an axially extending uniform cross-section, and the threaded trailing portion provided at a trailing end of the fusion body: wherein the insertion portion is configured to self-align the fusion body between bone beds of adjacent vertebrae during implantation, and the threaded trailing portion is configured to self-fixate the fusion body between the bone beds.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 100 words

A vertebral fusion implant, comprising, an elongate, axially extending fusion body including an outer surface having an insertion portion and a threaded trailing portion, the outer surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies, the insertion portion having an axially extending uniform cross-section, and the threaded trailing portion provided at a trailing end of the fusion body: wherein the insertion portion is configured to self-align the fusion body between bone beds of adjacent vertebrae during implantation, and the threaded trailing portion is configured to self-fixate the fusion body between the bone beds.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 15 words

The vertebral fusion implant of claim 14 wherein the fusion body comprises an elongate cylinder.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The vertebral fusion implant of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of fenestrations provided in the elongate cylinder extending from an outer surface to an inner surface and operative to encourage arthrodesis.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 60 words

A spinal arthrodesis device, comprising: an axially extending tubular body having a smooth, leading end insertion portion, a bone-engaging trailing end portion, and a surface, the surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward and adjacent each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies and the insertion portion configured to self-align the body between the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 60 words

A spinal arthrodesis device, comprising: an axially extending tubular body having a smooth, leading end insertion portion, a bone-engaging trailing end portion, and a surface, the surface including opposed portions adapted for placement toward and adjacent each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies and the insertion portion configured to self-align the body between the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 17 wherein the surface comprises an outer surface of the tubular body including an upper opposed portion adapted to contact and invade a first vertebral body and a lower opposed portion adapted to contact and invade a second, adjacent vertebral body.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 43 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 17 further comprising a bore extending from a leading end of the tubular body and invading the body, the bore of sufficient size to receive living bone projections from each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 47 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 19 wherein the surface comprises an inner surface provided by the bore, and wherein the opposed portions comprise opposed arcuate portions of the bore adapted for placement toward and adjacent bone projections from each of a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 23 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 20 wherein the bore is configured to telescopically receive the adjacent bone projections within the tubular body.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 81 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: a tubular body having a smooth leading end insertion portion configured to align the implant and a trailing end bone-engaging portion, the insertion portion including at least one wall providing an axially extending bore within the insertion portion and providing an open leading end and a first wall portion provided for insertion within a kerf of a first vertebral body and a second, opposed wall portion provided for insertion within a kerf of a second vertebral body.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 81 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: a tubular body having a smooth leading end insertion portion configured to align the implant and a trailing end bone-engaging portion, the insertion portion including at least one wall providing an axially extending bore within the insertion portion and providing an open leading end and a first wall portion provided for insertion within a kerf of a first vertebral body and a second, opposed wall portion provided for insertion within a kerf of a second vertebral body.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 71 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 22 wherein the first wall portion is configured to invade a first vertebral body and the second wall portion is configured to invade a second vertebral body by inserting the implant axially along an inter-disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies, and wherein respective bone projections of the vertebral bodies are telescopically received within the bore to facilitate arthrodesis between the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 22 wherein the tubular body comprises a cylindrical body and the trailing end bone-engaging portion comprises at least one thread segment extending from the cylindrical body.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 41 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 22 wherein the tubular leading end insertion portion comprises a cylindrical tube, the first wall comprises an arcuate portion of the cylindrical tube, and the second wall comprises an opposed, arcuate portion of the cylindrical tube.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 50 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 25 wherein the bore extends completely through the body from an open leading end to an open trailing end, and the body comprises a cylindrical tube having a bore sized sufficiently to receive each of a pair of bone projections from respective adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 78 words

A spinal arthrodesis device, comprising: a tubular body configured for insertion along an axis substantially parallel with an inter-disc gap between adjacent vertebral bodies, the tubular body having a smooth leading end portion configured to align the tubular body during insertion, a bone-engaging trailing end portion, a length sized to fit between the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to provide a bore sized to receive living bone projections from each of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 78 words

A spinal arthrodesis device, comprising: a tubular body configured for insertion along an axis substantially parallel with an inter-disc gap between adjacent vertebral bodies, the tubular body having a smooth leading end portion configured to align the tubular body during insertion, a bone-engaging trailing end portion, a length sized to fit between the adjacent vertebral bodies, and a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to provide a bore sized to receive living bone projections from each of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 35 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 27 wherein the tubular body has an open leading end including at least one wall configured to be received within a kerf within each of the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

The spinal arthrodesis device of claim 28 wherein the tubular body comprises a hollow cylinder having an open leading end, defining a bore sized sufficiently to telescopically receive a bone projection from each respective vertebral body.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 47 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: an elongate body having a smooth leading end portion configured to self-align the elongate body between adjacent vertebral bodies, a bone-engaging trailing and portion, and opposed lateral portions each adapted for placement toward and at least partly within the respective, adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 47 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: an elongate body having a smooth leading end portion configured to self-align the elongate body between adjacent vertebral bodies, a bone-engaging trailing and portion, and opposed lateral portions each adapted for placement toward and at least partly within the respective, adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 30 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 30 wherein the elongate body comprises a tubular body having a central axis configured for insertion along an inter-disc space between the adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 31 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 31 wherein the elongate body has an open leading end sized sufficiently to receive a bone projection from each of an adjacent pair of bone bodies.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 81 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: an elongate body having a leading end configured to self-align the body between adjacent vertebral bodies comprising a smooth outer surface and a trailing end comprising at least one surface projection, the elongate body configured for alignment and Insertion substantially along a vertebral disc space between a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies, and having an open leading end communicating with a bore configured to receive a bone projection from each of the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 81 words

An intervertebral implant, comprising: an elongate body having a leading end configured to self-align the body between adjacent vertebral bodies comprising a smooth outer surface and a trailing end comprising at least one surface projection, the elongate body configured for alignment and Insertion substantially along a vertebral disc space between a pair of adjacent vertebral bodies, and having an open leading end communicating with a bore configured to receive a bone projection from each of the pair of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 17 words

The intervertebral implant of claim 33 wherein the at least one surface projection comprises a thread segment.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 77 words

A bone arthrodizing implant, comprising: a hollow elongate body having an open front face communicating with an inner bore and an outer surface with a smooth leading end configured to self-align along adjacent bone bodies and a bone-gripping trailing end, the elongate body configured for insertion along an interface between adjacent bone bodies, and the elongate body having a cross-sectional dimension and thickness sufficient to telescopically receive vascularized bone projections from each of the adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 77 words

A bone arthrodizing implant, comprising: a hollow elongate body having an open front face communicating with an inner bore and an outer surface with a smooth leading end configured to self-align along adjacent bone bodies and a bone-gripping trailing end, the elongate body configured for insertion along an interface between adjacent bone bodies, and the elongate body having a cross-sectional dimension and thickness sufficient to telescopically receive vascularized bone projections from each of the adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 26 words

The bone arthrodizing implant of claim 35 wherein the hollow elongate body comprises a cylindrical tube having at least one thread along the bone-gripping trailing end.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 36 words

A bone implant, comprising: a body having a smooth leading portion configured to align the body between adjacent bone bodies, a bone-engaging trailing portion, and opposed lateral portions each adapted for placement toward adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 36 words

A bone implant, comprising: a body having a smooth leading portion configured to align the body between adjacent bone bodies, a bone-engaging trailing portion, and opposed lateral portions each adapted for placement toward adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 35 words

The bone implant of claim 37 wherein the body has a central axis along which the smooth leading portion and the bone-engaging trailing portion extend for axial insertion between a pair of adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 22 words

The bone implant of claim 38 wherein the elongate body extends at least in part within each of the adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 46 words

The bone implant of claim 38 wherein the body comprises a tubular body having an open leading end communicating with an internal bore having an axially extending uniform cross-sectional dimension sized sufficiently to receive a bone projection from at least one of the adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 28 words

The bone implant of claim 40 wherein the bore has a dimension sized sufficiently to receive each of a pair of bone projections from respective adjacent bone bodies.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 14 words

The bone implant of claim 38 wherein the bone-engaging trailing portion comprises a thread.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 12 words

The bone implant of claim 38 wherein the body comprises man-made material.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-09-09	2006-03-11	2006-09-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-09-09	2010-03-11	2010-09-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-09-09	2014-03-11	2014-09-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Self-aligning bone implant

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